Warriors' top pick Nedovic works with team

It sounds like Nemanja Nedovic's much-anticipated first game in the United States will be postponed a little longer.

The Warriors' first-round pick sprained his right ankle in Thursday night's scrimmage against the NBA Development League Select Team, sat out Friday's practice and most likely will miss the team's Summer League opener against Washington on Saturday afternoon.

"I was ready. I prepared a lot for this, but I don't think we'll risk it," said Nedovic, who initially tweaked the ankle last month at the EuroCamp in Treviso, Italy. "I really want to play, really, really badly, but it is what it is."

Saturday is Nedovic's one chance to play this summer because he will fly Sunday to Slovenia, where the Serbian national team is prepping for the EuroBasket tournament. He said he hopes to help Serbia make a deep run, which could last until Sept. 22, then visit his parent for a couple of days before returning to the states in advance of training camp.

But even if Nedovic can't play Saturday, the Warriors came away impressed with their first few glimpses of the 6-foot-3, 192-pound point guard. He needed only one practice to pick up the terminology of the entire offense and had some impressive moments in the scrimmage.

Nedovic's explosive drives and dunks are highlighted on a series of highlight videos on YouTube. Jackson said the 22-year-old is already a decent one-on-one defender, but he needs experience in defending pick-and-roll plays.

"The great thing about it is: We have tremendous depth," Jackson said. "He's not going to be rushed. It's important for him to continue to progress, continue to get better and continue to stay ready. There are no limitations. He could come in and play right away, but we have guys who are proven."

Nedovic spent the first part of the week in Las Vegas proving to himself that he was ready for the NBA. He got more and more comfortable on the court as he spent more and more time with his teammates off it.

"They wouldn't let me pay," Nedovic said. "I asked, but they said I'll pay down the line. All of this was unreal at the beginning, but right now, it just seems normal. I see that I can play here. (My teammates) are just like in Europe, so it's becoming nothing strange."

Briefly: Barnes scrimmaged Thursday and consistently tried to join drills during Friday's practice, but Jackson said the forward will not be allowed to play in Summer League games. "There's no reason for him to play in these Summer League games," Jackson said. "He's proven himself. He's practicing well. He's a guy who stays on the floor. He's got nothing to prove in these games." ... Kevin Murphy, a guard acquired in the Andre Iguodala deal, has joined the Warriors' Summer League team. Craig Smith and Mouphtaou Yarou are not in Vegas. Michael Eric and James Southerland, who both played in the Orlando Summer League, were expected to join the Warriors late Friday in Las Vegas, but they most likely won't play in Saturday's opener.

Marreese Speights, a former first-round pick, should give the Warriors added depth in the frontcourt. B7

Summer League hopefuls

Nemanja Nedovic is expected to miss the Summer League with a sprained ankle, so Draymond Green is the only Warrior with a guaranteed contract playing in Las Vegas. The team still has three roster spots open, and here are some key players looking to grab one:

Kent Bazemore (6-5, 201, Old Dominion): Probably has a lead on the rest of the group with defensive abilities and team-chemistry-building charm.

Ian Clark(6-3, 175, Belmont): One of the NCAA's most efficient shooters in 2012-13 and Belmont's all-time leading scorer.

Michael Eric (6-10, 240, Temple): Averaged 17 points and 5.7 rebounds in 21 minutes per game in the 2013 NBA Development League playoffs.

Dwayne Jones(6-11, 248, St. Joseph's): 30-year-old is hoping his basketball IQ and role acceptance get him one more chance.

Scott Machado (6-1, 205, Iona): Led the NCAA in assists during 2011-12 and is the Warriors' only "true point guard" option.

Kevin Murphy (6-6, 185, Tennessee Tech): A scoring machine who was picked up in the three-team deal for Andre Iguodala.

James Southerland (6-8, 215, Syracuse): Reportedly turned down being drafted by San Antonio, because the Spurs wanted him to develop overseas.

- Rusty Simmons

Schedule

Date

Opp

Time

TV

Saturday

Wizards

1 p.m.

NBATV

Monday

Kings

5:30 p.m.

NBA.com

Tuesday

Bucks

3:30 p.m.

NBA.com

Wed. through July 22

Summer League Tournament*

* Teams play two to five games in the inaugural Summer League tournament.